Union bug hits SBOE contest

His GOP primary opponent for the Beaumont area State Board of Education race portrays the board’s social conservative leader as a union supporter who is aligned with Democrats, of all people.

David Bradley

Challenger Rita Ashley’s campaign issued this release today:

”While conservative Republican Rita Ashley is rapidly gaining support in newly redrawn State Board of Education District 7, the 16-year incumbent, David Bradley has chosen to align himself with labor unions and Democrats in a desperate attempt to stay in office.

“Republicans must question David Bradley’s allegiances after a “union bug” appeared on his campaign bumper stickers and yard signs. A “union bug” is a small marking indicating the materials were printed by a union printer. It is a “secret code” that union members and union sympathizers look for when deciding whom to support in elections. Only candidates who support labor unions desires to organize are allowed to place a “union bug” on their campaign materials. The “union bug” can be seen on the signage of President Barack Obama and Democrat Congressional candidate, Nick Lampson.

Rita Ashley

“Labor Unions have no business being involved in a Republican Primary in Texas. We conservative Texans have fought hard for years to protect our pro-business environment,” said Rita Ashley. “David Bradley’s labor union friends want to destroy our job-creating atmosphere. The voters should say ‘no’ to labor unions by saying ‘no’ to David Bradley.”

“In what cannot be a surprise after the “union bug” appeared on his campaign materials, recently released campaign finance reports show that Bradley’s second largest campaign contributor is former four-term Democrat State Representative, turned Austin lobbyist, Clint Hackney. Mr. Hackney contributed a total of $4,000 equaling 20% of the total amount David Bradley has raised.

“Once again, David Bradley’s words ring hollow,” says Mrs. Ashley. “He claims to be a Republican while aligning himself with Democrats, labor unions, and voting against local control of our school districts. Mr. Bradley is the wrong candidate to represent this conservative, Republican district. It is time for a change for District 7.”

The news release describes Ashley ass a small business owner and former educator who has lived and worked in Beaumont for more than 30 years. She has a college degree in Early Childhood Education and has been endorsed by State Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, state Rep. Allen Ritter, R-Nederland, SBOE Board Member Bob Craig, R-Lubbock and many other conservative leaders across District 7.

Bradley’s response: “Ms. Ashley, having voted in Democrat Primaries in 2004, 2006 and not even voted in the 2008 Presidential primary, is new to the Republican party playground. Also having lived out of the district in Austin the past few years is causing her problems in connecting with local ‘R Primary’ voters,” Bradley said. “Unbelievably, she is now attacking union voters in her frustration.”

“Maybe it would have been wiser for her to run as a Democrat in Travis County,” Bradley added.